In the occupied city of Starobilsk, located in the Luhansk region, significant damage has been reported following an alleged drone strike attributed to Ukrainian forces. According to local authorities, at least 35 individuals have sustained injuries, and there are confirmed fatalities.
Images and videos released by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and local media show severely damaged buildings, including a college and its dormitory. The head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, Leonid Pasichnik, indicated that over 80 people, primarily teenagers aged between 14 and 18, were present in the college at the time of the incident.
Rescue operations have successfully extracted three individuals from the rubble, although it is feared that more victims may still be trapped. In addition to the college, administrative buildings, shops, and private residences in Starobilsk have also suffered damage. Reports indicate that one person outside the college was injured.
Subsequently, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the recovery of a deceased individual from the debris. Human Rights Commissioner in Russia, Yana Lantratova, stated that preliminary reports suggest four fatalities. She noted that the college is affiliated with Luhansk State Pedagogical University.
The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case under terrorism charges, claiming that the Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a targeted strike using four drones on the administrative buildings and dormitory of the Starobilsk college.
Ukrainian military officials have not commented on the Russian claims. However, the monitoring channel Exilenova+ shared images of the destruction, labeling it as the aftermath of explosions in the city. The channel suggested that the affected structures were utilized by Russian forces for military purposes.
There has been no indication from Russian sources regarding whether the educational institution was used as a military base, as schools and universities are often repurposed by both sides in the conflict for troop deployment.
A drone strike in Starobilsk has resulted in substantial casualties and damage, with reports indicating at least four fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident has prompted investigations into potential terrorism charges against Ukrainian forces.